Multi-level marketing (MLM) business success depends on reaching your performance goals and empowering recruits to do the same, by duplicating your successful efforts. Your job as a company sales representative is to generate leads, build trust, turn prospects into sales and teach others your techniques. To achieve this goal, first understand the needs of potential customers, then ensure that your service can improve their life. Finally, coach your MLM team members to do the same.

Contact List

Consistently growing your contact list is the primary business-building tool for MLM business representatives. A contact list can be as simple as writing down names in a notebook. Begin creating your contact list with a “hot list” of people you already know, such as friends and family, then expand it to include a “warm list” of current and former coworkers. During the course of daily living, you can add names to your third “cold list” of strangers you believe can benefit from what you have to offer, such as grocery store clerks and wait staff. When following up with leads, first learn everything possible about the person so that you can create an attention-getting, tailored presentation that describes how you can meet their needs. Most importantly, ensure that everyone in your organization understands the value of developing and working through their own contact list. Lead by example to help others by explaining how you maintain your own list.

Word-of-Mouth Referrals

For your MLM business to grow, you must instruct everyone you recruit to always ask for referrals, especially if a potential customer has declined their offer. Your product or service might not be right for everyone, but chances are good that everyone knows someone who can benefit from your business product. Never close the door to a customer's rejection until you ask the person if he can help you by sharing names of others who might need your service. You can also approach existing satisfied customers for word-of-mouth referrals by handing out extra business cards and asking these cheerleaders to help you spread the word by sharing their experience with friends and family. Incentives such as coupons and free products can help expedite referrals.

The Power of Duplication

The best MLM businesses utilize network marketing tactics that are easily duplicated. Successful MLM sales people aren't born with the ability to generate business; they simply emulate what other outstanding representatives do within their organization. Anyone can learn to build a better MLM business through the power of duplication. This process simply entails being coachable, studying company training materials, utilizing existing approach tactics and following strategies implemented by successful representatives in your organization. While it's acceptable to tailor your initial approach to a prospect's needs, you'll be more likely to close the deal if you duplicate the proven sales tactics recommended by the company.

Product Knowledge

The most important thing for the successful presentation of any MLM business proposal is posture. One must use and be passionate about the products they represent. Before approaching customers, use your products and study your company's existing sales collateral to learn everything you can about them. Your confidence level will grow as you become an authority about what you're selling. The more you understand about the manufacturing process, the ingredients used to create the products, how they work and who they benefit, the better posture you'll have when approaching leads and existing customers. If someone asks a product-related question that you can't answer, offer to do more research until you receive clarification. When you learn something new about your MLM products, instill confidence in others by sharing that information with teammates and customers.